![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=6da9d8bcb48967a091c2db7e2e98c1cf 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=6a06c6a7c6c486bab1eb6c39d3b1ae7a 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=55d8c217277f48e84be8ab9598bce714 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=7bf6862a8125239bef1a8a91e7b3b074 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=f418c11fb2ce87a44f8f0738715cba90 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=97e1e56aeefc5805e47ca90974abe61a 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N11_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1281&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=d1f3eb8510b7f18e7628a42994f3ce15 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=5e325ff20af819cfe0e30aec8b5b9568 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=3921e0a0c922b50ffab9c1a001729256 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=e74c2dfa39ad00bd7933b69a3ec364dd 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=4434a803ef2f8e133bbc590de577fefe 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=244350d53fe41a2941becbf3dbf72f9b 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=eabc8c3f46a9c46da6ed2dfefbdd4659 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N22_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1281&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=7c5e2ae284f9080cbd7e350ee7faf412 1920w)
How and when did you develop an interest in architecture?
I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was four years old. My dad is a site manager for a small construction firm, and I would always ask him questions about who designed buildings and he told me that architects did. Ever since then, it’s been my dream to design something and to see it be constructed.
Have you been gearing your studies towards this discipline?
I have in the last few years. I studied art and product design for my GCSEs and I’ve also been lucky to study architecture at Havering Sixth Form College for my A-Levels. It’s one of the few colleges that offer the course and I’ve also been talking to people in the sector and gaining more knowledge.
How have you found your first year of college?
The lessons are so cool. We’re doing research and creating PowerPoints for briefs. I’m now looking into what universities I want to apply for.
How did you get involved with the People’s Pavilion?
My architecture teacher told us about it in one of our lessons a few months ago. I then signed up to the competition after she encouraged me to do so, as she thought it would be beneficial for me.
Can you tell me about your pavilion concept?
We decided to go for a relaxing space as the main theme. The whole model is quite large at 14 x 33 metres so it’s one long rectangular structure that has a trussed wooden roof to allow hanging plants through. My teammate and friend Zarin decided to add a waterfall element that would sense you and open up as you walk through it. We shared ideas and were really happy with the outcome.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=c6122e4db7fbc2c943d35d54c1f05e81 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=5130ed1adb1432c35c336f5432899984 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=7e6a280fcc78de93d1363a7b77e7f705 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=34b956ed5ad1b641d721e8f4d88fb505 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=e2d3ca4fab5d3864be2fd72303f9fabc 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=2248e767eebf5e7a6c6c80f7a00d8d48 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FE_210602_N34_webview.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1281&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=9e8460c99989de55879a0f8cfd8759b4 1920w)
Do you have any favourite architects or buildings?
I’ve got a favourite street! I love Regent’s Street on Piccadilly Circus as it’s quite complex with how it’s laid out. I like the area around the Piccadilly roundabout in general. Each time I go through the billboards, I’m mesmerised by everything there; it’s so pleasing. I also like the identical brick terraced houses in London and The Shard.
What do you like about The Shard?
It was probably one of the first tall buildings that I saw. I was impressed by the shape of it and it was different to anything else around it. Most buildings were rectangular and up-and-down, but The Shard was pointy and had jagged edges on it, it looked really cool. It’s iconic.
How would you want the pavilion to be used?
I hope that people use the pavilion for its intended purpose which is to relax. I want to make sure everyone is happy in the area and no one’s stressing out. I hope they can go there to unwind and let all their worries out.
Read our Q&A with Michael’s teammates, Ferdos and Zarin.
Beyond the Box consultants, who are running the initiative, announced the winning design team last week from a shortlist of nine. A public vote of over 1,300 local people selected Shahriyar Ahmed (18), Samira Elbahja (17) and Dellilah Jamal’s (17) design, ‘The Reverie’, as the winner.